Lockheed Martin receives order for targeting pods from Oman

FARNBOROUGH, England, 12 July 2012. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a contract from the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) to provide additional Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) for their F-16 fleet. The contract is worth $23 million.

In addition to the new Sniper pod deliveries, the contract also includes upgrades to the RAFO’s existing pods and support.

The Sniper ATP is used to detect and identify targets at standoff ranges. The Sniper ATP is widely deployed in the U.S. Air Force, and is also used by 12 international air forces. Sniper ATPs use high-resolution, mid-wave FLIR and TV sensors that operate in conjunction with a dual-mode laser to permit eye-safe operation and geo-location in urban environments.

The Sniper ATP provides critical long-range, positive target identification, enhancing an aircrew’s ability to detect and analyze ground targets while decreasing the risks posed by enemy air defenses. The system's stable, automatic tracking and laser designation of targets, along with a video datalink with metadata, help pilots visually identify threats in day/night conditions and share imagery with ground troops.

Sniper’s interoperability enables coalition air forces to use the pod across multiple platforms. Its plug-and-play technology provides a common software and hardware configuration across the aircraft fleets. Sniper pods provide targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability on U.S. Air Force and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier, A-10 and B-52 aircraft.